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Lance Stroll got a little more love from his team in Azerbaijan last season than the officials at that venue are apparently getting from Liberty Media these days. Photo by LAT PHOTOGRAPHIC

Azerbaijan government facing deadline for F1 contract extension

Current deal to race on streets of Azerbaijan runs through 2020

February 13, 2018

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The Azerbaijan government is not sure it will agree to a new race deal with Formula 1 owners Liberty Media. And race officials are not sure they can live with any deal that just extends the current terms.

Baku hosted its first race on the historic city streets in 2016, with the contract having been negotiated with the former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone.

Now, sports minister Azad Rahimov is planning to stage talks with Liberty Media after the 2018 race on April 29.

"Within three months after the Grand Prix, we must give an answer to the leadership of Formula 1 about whether we will extend the contract for another five years until 2025," Rahimov told Tass news agency. "Everyone understands that the contract we have now is unacceptable. I think the new leadership of Formula 1 understands that as well.

"We are talking about a number of commercial conditions, sponsorship rights and the price that we pay. I think both ourselves and the leadership of Formula 1 have the desire to leave the race here."